LinkedIn has become a massive tool in the staffing and recruiting industry. Known to most as a “professional networking tool,” LinkedIn is known to people in my profession a great tool to find a passive candidate. Set up through personal networks, networking groups, and “people you may know,” this professional networking tool is now attracting a multitude of people from every professional arena. If used properly, LinkedIn has incredible amounts of potential to find better jobs, connect with hiring managers, and connect with people who know the industry better than anyone…… RECRUITERS.
When sourcing for qualified candidates, I utilize LinkedIn 100% of the time. This tool has become a recruiter’s best friend and what seems as a nightmare for professionals who are happy in their current jobs and not interested in making a move. This is very obvious by the conversations that many professionals have within the networking groups. “Is there any professionals in this group or is it just recruiters?” or “This group was started for professional networking, NOT FOR RECRUITERS!”
I understand that there have been some recruiters that give people in my profession a bad name. Is it different in any other profession? I have received some pretty nasty responses to invitations to connect and emails inquiring information about candidate’s current situation. Maybe it is just me, but why not connect? Why not be polite to someone who has such an incredible understanding of the market for your skill set? Before completely rejecting an invitation to connect, think about the following questions first!
- What if my work situation changes unexpectedly?
In most cases, you are in an Employment at Will agreement. Which means, at any point the employer or employee can break the employment relationship for any reason. Obviously not in a case where it could be classified as discriminatory or illegal, but you never know in today’s market. My point being, recruiters know the market. We have an upper hand on a lot of open opportunities that could be very useful for you if your current work situation changes unexpectedly!
- Do I know of anyone who is looking for work? (Especially people with the same skill set)
Staffing and recruiting companies thrive off of referrals. In some cases, they value referrals so much that they have instated a referral bonus program. I have heard of some companies who pay out as much as $500 to someone whom simply leads them to an individual who turns out to be a great resource and gets placed into one their open positions. Everyone knows someone who is unhappy in their current job or looking for new opportunities!
- Is the grass really greener on the other side?
It very well could be! You wouldn’t believe how many times I speak to people who are INCREDIBLY UNDERPAID for their skill set. Some people have been locked into positions for 10+ years and have received small pay increases ever 1-2 years. Yeah that looks great to you, but in some cases, companies tend to not pay tenured employees what they are worth, based off market value. Recruiters know what skill sets are hot! They know what type of massive projects are going to happen over the next year and they know what skill sets are needed. If they are contacting you, it is likely that you have “HOT” skill set.
It starts at accepting an invite to connect and ends in a new opportunity in which you got a 25% pay increase. Next time you receive an invite to connect via LinkedIn, give it a little more thought, instead of just declining. That recruiter could possibly have the next best thing for you and your family, especially if they are from Anchor Point Technology Resources!